November 25, 2025 The Comforter You're Not Using but Should

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,  that he may abide with you forever.  John 14:16, KJV 

“What do you think you're doing?!" his wife demanded an answer from her husband of six months. The man now wrapped in the couple's new $700 comforter as he lazed on the bed, feet propped, drink in hand, and watching a football game. 

Startled and confused by her intrusion in his man-cave moment, he hit the mute button. "I don't know. What? What am I doing?" 

His wife yanked the comforter off his reclining body and pronounced, "This is for decoration, not to use!" She smoothed the tangled mess and folded it over the foot of the bed. 

Searching for words of wisdom from those more tenured in marriage, the young husband now shared his story over a dinner break at a leadership meeting I attended. Men around the table guffawed in a yes-we've-all-been-there tone. The women stared at the young man with a you-should-know-better look, unsurprised and understanding the wife’s dismay. Some things are for decoration, not for use. Right? 

Later, in the quiet of my hotel room, the story hung with me. Can we carry that notion too far? Can we do the same with spiritual things? Do we wrap the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—neatly at the foot of our lives, admired but unused? 

My first-born, I-can-do-it-myself attitude often led me to hold the Comforter, as more decoration gathering dust on a shelf in my life rather than the first One I called upon. Until one day circumstances forced me to admit, "This I cannot do alone. God help me." On that day I welcomed the Comforter, and He lifted the yoke of grief and loneliness from my shoulders. 

Jesus didn’t pay the ultimate price so we could keep His gift folded and ornamental. God, our Father, sent His Holy Spirit not to decorate our faith but to activate it. And He comes to counsel, comfort, strengthen, intercede, and advocate. He’s not a luxury, but a lifeline to be called upon and used. 

That is why, as Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, he said And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever (John 14:16, Amplified). The question is: will we unwrap Him? Or keep Him folded at the edge of our lives? 

Reflect: Where are you trying to "do it yourself" instead of leaning on the Comforter? What would change in your life if you invited the Spirit to truly comfort, guide, and strengthen you today? 

Pray: Holy Spirit, I’ve admired You, but too often disregard Your Presence. Today, I invite You into the very center of my struggle and strength. Be my Comforter, Counselor, and Friend. Teach me to lean on You—not as a last resort, but as my first help. I receive You fully. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

By His Grace,  Gloria Ashby  Lay Leader